South Korea introduces standards for photovoltaic-thermal modules
The country’s National Institute of Technology and Standards said the new standards apply to modules that combine photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies in a single device, noting that separate standards for each technology already exist.
PVT-assisted air-source heat pump based on phase-change tank
Scientists in China have designed a photovoltaic-thermal integrated air-source heat pump hot water system that uses a phase change tank to lower energy consumption and achieve higher power generation performance than conventional heat pumps. The system is designed to use water as a working medium and to provide circulation power for forced circulation.
Storing photovoltaic-thermal energy with volcanic tuff stones
Scientists in China have used ground heat exchangers based on volcanic tuff stones to improve storage capabilities and efficiency of photovoltaic-thermal systems. Their experiments showed that the proposed combination effectively improves PV module cooling and thermal efficiency.
Dualsun presents heat pump-compatible residential PVT panel
The French manufacturer said its PVT module features a PV module efficiency of up to 21.8% and a thermal output ranging from 459 W/m2.
Heliostat field-integrated PVT system supported by organic PCM
Scientists have used stearic acid and a combination of stearic acid and carbon black to increase thermal conductivity in a photovoltaic-thermal system linked to a heliostat field concentrator. From a temperature of 30 C at the inlet, they were able to heat the water to up to 59 C.
Photovoltaic-thermal panel based on channel-box heat exchanger
Scientists in Morocco have conceived a photovoltaic-thermal panel that uses a channel-box heat exchanger consisting of 94 channels attached directly to the PV module. The simulated design reportedly results in an overall panel efficiency of over 90% and good results in terms of temperature inhomogeneity.
Enhancing photovoltaic-thermal module performance with Tesla valves
Scientists in China have demonstrated a photovoltaic-thermal system that utilizes Tesla valves to increase cooling and efficiency. The system was found to have better performance compared to PVT systems made with several different cross-sectional structures.
Sunmaxx PVT opens 50 MW PV-thermal module factory in Germany
Sunmaxx PVT, a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar module specialist, has built an automated 50 MW module factory near Dresden, Germany.
French startup offers solar aerothermal system for space heating
Solar Brother, a French startup, has developed a solar aerothermal system for space heating. The system incorporates a PV panel, an aerothermal heat pump module, and cassette filtration, enabling homeowners to save on heating.
Thermoelectric generators with PVT energy, nanofluids
An Austrialian-Iranian research team has developed a thermoelectric generator incorporating photovoltaic-thermal panels and nanofluids for cooling.
